Interesting precedent in the same team when they were Honda/Brawn. Jenson and Rubens both have red white and blue helmets. When the team became Brawn, they both had the white and Brawn yellow helmets. But after the first few races of 2009 Rubens went back to his traditional colours for most races, making it easier to distinguish who was who.

wasn't that helmet in singapore a silvery white? as he was walking away from the car i got the impression that it might be a sign of things to come.....lol has anyone commented on the fact he wore the mercedes colors on his head in the race before he signed for them? That design will go down well in the merc i think. Rosberg should keep his yellow(which is a different shade from what Lewis has) at merc and Lewis should use silver.

If it becomes an issue, Lewis should change to demonstrate McLaren days are completely behind.

On a related note, F1 should take some steps back to how it was before and let teams have their own numbers. 27 and 28 for Ferrari, 5 and 6 for Williams, 11 and 12 for McLaren, and so on.

McLaren, what with their habit of winning championships, seemed to bounce around the numbers more than most in the old system. I always think 11/12 for Lotus, 7/8 for McLaren, though Brabham were also 7/8 for many years.

If it becomes an issue, Lewis should change to demonstrate McLaren days are completely behind.

On a related note, F1 should take some steps back to how it was before and let teams have their own numbers. 27 and 28 for Ferrari, 5 and 6 for Williams, 11 and 12 for McLaren, and so on.

I would love that, it adds a bit of character, just like the markings you used to have on the wings. I know it is easier to have unmarked wings but it was easier to see who is who. Back in the day, you could easily distinguish the cars. Don't forget you see less of the helmet now with the headrest. They are harder to distinguish and to remember the design. I used to know almost all of them, but nowadays... no.

Vettel: can't keep a design.Most RB-drivers: all look like the same can.etc.

Same goes with the numbers. It seems like teams are contesting each other to have the least visible starting numbers.You could also have the motorbikes/NASCAR system, each driver his own number.

they are quite different and distinguishable colours though aren't they? Nico's fluoro yellow and hammys dull yellow are actually the 2 easiest colour helmets to spot for me. I always have trouble with the STR boys for some reason.

Roberg's helmet has always had element's of the colour's of the team he was driving for, so in the Williams days it was blue and yellow, and for most of his career at Mercedes it was Gray and Yellow.
In 2012 it became completely yellow which I think was intentionally established to promote colour symmetry with Michael whose Helmet was all red. This allowed them to have matching T cam bars, driving shoes and gloves all the same colour as their helmets. I think with Michael gone there will be no reason to continue this, and Nico will either go back to having sliver on the front of his helmet or switch to an entirely different design.

Hamilton is the new guy, I see no reason why Nico should change up when someone else is coming to the team. Plus, it's time for Hamilton to let go of his Senna/McLaren days and finally develop his own identity. Wasn't that one of the major reasons for leaving McLaren in the first place.

I hope it's Hamilton who changes up. It's time for him to let go of Senna. It's time for everyone to let go of Senna and move on.

On a related note, F1 should take some steps back to how it was before and let teams have their own numbers. 27 and 28 for Ferrari, 5 and 6 for Williams, 11 and 12 for McLaren, and so on.

The team didn't have their own numbers. The champion always got number 1, and the teammate number two. So, an example is 1979, Ferrari had 11 and 12, Lotus had 1 and 2. That year Jody Scheckter won, Ferrari then got the numbers 1 and 2, and Lotus got 11 and 12. Then, the 1980 champ. was won by Alan Jones in the Williams, that led to Williams and Ferrari switching numbers. It was then Ferrari got the 27&28 on the car. And as we all know, Ferrari never changed numbers until 1990 when Prost went to Ferrari after winning the champ. for McLaren. Which casued Ferrari to get 1 and 2, and McLaren 27&28. When Senna then went on to win in 1990, the switched again.So, the only times Ferrari didn't use the number 27 between 1980 and 1995, that number went on to take the title.

This is also the reason why Tyrrell always had 3 and 4, when the number system was introduced in 1974, Tyrrell had ended the last season second in the constructor champ. And as we know, they never won a champ. again.

There was also some occasional rearragements to fill up empty places throughout the time, and the 1993 was a little strange, when Mansell won, and went to USA, McLaren and Williams still should've swapped, instead Benetton got the 5&6, and McLaren went to 7&8.

Then, the new teams got numbers when they joined, so, in 94, Pacific and Simtek got numbers higher than Sauber. Although in 95, they decided to "close the gap", and therefor Simtek got 11&12 Pacific 16&17 and Forti 21&22. The number 18 got "lost" when Leyton House went bust, and Fondmetal went from 1 to 2 cars.

Additional to this, new teams would only get new (and high) numbers when it was a truly new team. Leyton House bought March, and kept the numbers.

Which actually means that Brawn GP would've had the numbers 3&4 when Button took the champ, and with Button leaving for McLaren that had 1&2 that year, Mercedes would've kept the numbers, and actually been the only team that would've had the same numbers throughout history (as BAR bought out Tyrrell, Honda bought BAR, Brawn bought Honda, Merc bought Brawn).

Correct. Also, because of Schumacher's moving to Ferrari in 96, Benetton would have been 27&28 from then on. This would only have changed when Alonso won the championship for with them as Renault (unless the gaps were closed).

So if we continue with that system (and ignore filling gaps because those can't be predicted)

Hamilton will never change his helmet colour because it gives him the inspiration of SENNA, and whenever he wears it you can see the spirit of SENNA HIMSELF inspiring him, driving him on to achieve his dreams and become like his hero, AYRTON SENNA

~James Allen Monaco 2008 hat off~

Really, it shouldn't be a problem. The helmets look different enough and there are other ways of distinguishing them.

I've noticed, both Ham and Ros have yellow helmets... who would give up?

Neither driver has to give up their colours because they each have a completely different shade of yellow and a completely different design. Anyone who follows the sport closely will have no trouble telling them apart.

Hamilton will never change his helmet colour because it gives him the inspiration of SENNA, and whenever he wears it you can see the spirit of SENNA HIMSELF inspiring him, driving him on to achieve his dreams and become like his hero, AYRTON SENNA

~James Allen Monaco 2008 hat off~

Really, it shouldn't be a problem. The helmets look different enough and there are other ways of distinguishing them.

I do think that's so pathetic though. Formula One and Hamilton need to move on and start forging its own identity. Lewis Hamilton needs to grow up. He can't just barge himself into a team and keep his yellow helmet and force the other guy to change because he likes Senna.

I doubt the commentators would be too happy, you already mistakes here and there as it is. With the same helmets, during a race, in the heat of the moment with the pressure of a live broadcast, it would be a nightmare for everyone. I think people need to think it through before they say let them both wear yellow, because the shade differences makes up for little in the heat of the moment.

I'll be really disappointed in Nico Rosberg, Mercedes and Hamilton if they keep the colours or force Nico to change his colour. I honestly don't think Senna matters that much, and Nico needs to stand up for himself as the senior/longer serving driver in the team. And I'll be disappointed in Hamilton for refusing to let go of the past and forge a new identity for himself.

I do think that's so pathetic though. Formula One and Hamilton need to move on and start forging its own identity. Lewis Hamilton needs to grow up. He can't just barge himself into a team and keep his yellow helmet and force the other guy to change because he likes Senna.

Yes, Hamilton really needs to start forging his own identity by dropping the basic helmet design he's been running since karting days because people on the internet can't fathom the idea of two drivers running differently hued yellow helmets at the same time.

I do think that's so pathetic though. Formula One and Hamilton need to move on and start forging its own identity. Lewis Hamilton needs to grow up. He can't just barge himself into a team and keep his yellow helmet and force the other guy to change because he likes Senna.

What draws you to reach that conclusion about Lewis Hamilton ? Barge himself into a team.... what does that mean ?? Force the other guy ? C'mon really do you have a shred of reason behind your statements ?